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Stand firm and do not be moved! As believers, we are rooted and grounded in His magnificent love. Because we are established in His love, we can have a peace that passes all natural understanding. And we have COURAGE, the depth of which is confidence in the Lord. "And that Christ will make His home in your hearts, through faith. I pray that you wil have your roots and foundations in love so that.....you will have the power to understand how broad and long and deep is Christ's love. " - Ephesians 3:17 This place of trust is beyond the natural ability of a person. It comes only through a relationship with the Lord, who will lead us and bring to pass all He has purposed for us (our CALLING in Christ). As we are directed by Him, we can also be assured that He is making every path straight. As believers, we declare that we, "Trust in the LORD with all [our] heart, and lean not on [our] own understanding; in all [our] ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct [our] paths." - Proverbs 3:56 GOD-EMPOWERED BOLDNESS This creates in us PERSEVERANCE THROUGH OUR FAITH as we hear and are led by Him. Holy perseverance is God-empowered boldness or courage that enables us deep within to persevere. One way we can define perseverance is simply to stay the course. This is a powerful blessing from the Lord that enables us to believe the impossible is possible. It is a work of the Holy Spirit within that enables us to have strength to stay the course, regardless of present circumstances or situations. This is what the prophet Isaiah wrote about: "Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice." - Isaiah 41:10 AMP HERE IS THE INCREDIBLE PROMISE: You can stay the course because of the enabling of the strength of the Lord for you and in you! Believe that the Holy Spirit will release an even greater strengthening deep within so that you will stand firm for the promises of the Lord for your life and your family. As you lean into the Lord, you will go from strength to strength with deep courage to believe for the impossible to be possible. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

Colossians 3:15 - 'Let the peace of God rule in your heart...' A very fundamental way God speaks to individual believers is through His peace. Too often we take the peace of God for granted. God's peace is that eternal tranquilizer that governs our being. Romans 5:1 -- 'Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace WITH GOD through our Lord Jesus Christ.' Ephesians 2:13,14 -- 'But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been made near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of division between us.' There is a difference between having: 1. The peace of God and, 2. Having peace with God Any born-again believer who loves God and desires to serve Him has peace WITH God. This is simply part of the blood covenant. His peace is part of the package. But a common way God speaks to the believer is through the "peace OF God", or lack thereof, concerning specific situations: Colossians 3:15 (Amp) -- 'And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from the Christ rule (act as an umpire continually) in your hearts -- deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds -- (in that peaceful state) to which (as members of Christ's one body you were called (to live). And be thankful -- appreciative, giving praise to God always.' THE HOLY SPIRIT DECLARES PEACE TO OUR SPIRIT The Holy Spirit within is that Heavenly Umpire who continaully declares peace -- or lack of peace. When a Christian may express concerning a decision, 'I just don't have peace about it.' He is not saying he does not have peace WITH God, but that he lacks the peace OF God concerning the specific decision he is trying to make. At other times, when a decision has to be made, the Holy Spirit within may give a tremendous inundation of peace that gives assurance to the believer. This overwhelming peace is indicatation that the decision is in the will of God. THE ABSENCE OF PEACE IS THE ABSENCE OF CONFIRMATION When we walk with God and begin to turn the wrong way, we may immediately sence something lacking. We know His presence is mysteriously missing. We should be sensitive to that lack of peace. As we walk in the Spirit, we should take note when His Presence is missing and turn around. Then ask why. He will reveal the reason. The peace OF God, or the absence of His peace is the voice of the Lord. It is clearly one way He communicates to every child of God. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

Some people that attend church are looking for "Christian Counseling" but what would be more beneficial in most circumstances would be "Discipleship Equipping." That would involve focusing on their spiritual condition rather than their personal problems. Areas that involve discipling are: 1. Understanding their inheritance in Christ and who they are in Christ. 2. Understand their "Right Standing With God." 3. Understanding of how to "Walk in the Spirit. Having been discipled in these areas they are now ready to go and disciple and equip others for discipleship. Matthew 28:19 - "Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Jesus said, "Your attitude must be like my own, for I the Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve and to give my life." Romans 2:8 - "God will pour out His anger and wrath on those who live for themselves." ALBERT FINCH MINISTSRY

1. What is a righteousness consciousness? Answer: Righteousness consciousness is the state of being aware of your right standing with God. Righteousness means the ability to stand in the presence of Father God without the sense of guilt, inferiority or condemnation. "But if Christ lives in you, although your bodies are going to die because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because you have been put right with God." - Romans 8:10 "And He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. - 1 Peter 2:24 2. Why are we the righteousness of God? Answer: We are righteous because of God's love, because of who we are in Christ not because of our own conduct. our righteousness is not because we have done something to deserve it; but because God has chosen not to hold sin against us. "For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10 "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." - 2 Corinthians 5:21 3. How is it possible to believe that God loves you with the same love that he loves Jesus? Answer: Answer in the scriptures. "He was given over to die because of our sins, and was raised to life to put us right with God." - Romans 4:25 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." - John 3:16 "In our union with Christ Jesus He raised us up with Him to rule with Him in the heavenly world. He did this to demonstrate for all time to come the extraordinary greatness of his grace in the love He showed us in Christ Jesus." - Ephesians 2:6,7 4. Explain how you can develop a righteousness consciousness? Answer: Allow the Holy Spirit to paint a picture on the inside of you by meditationg on God's loving kindness. His grace, and His mercy towards you. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." - Matthew 6:33 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neaither can you unless you abide in Me." - John 15:4 5. What result or effect does right standing with God have on your relationship with him? Answer: It builds our confidence in God's willingness to use His power in our behalf. We become aware of His love for us and perfect love casts out fear. "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whetever you wish, and it will be done for you." - John 15:7 "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has torment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us." - 1 John 4:18 INTO ACTION: Affirm and meditate on the indicated scriptures several times daily until the renewing of your mind is made real to your spirit. AFFIRMATIONS: God imputes righteousness to me since I believe the He raised Jesus from the dead for my justification. (Romans 4:24.25) God loves me with the same love that He loves Jesus. (John 17:26) God, who is rich in mercy and love, has quickened me with Christ and has raise me up tobether with Christ and made me sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:4-6) ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

Psalm 59:9 - "O my Strength, I will watch and give heed to You and sing praises; for God is my Defense." The soul that is not recollected in one appetite alone -- the desire for God -- loses heart and strength in the practice of virtue. Affirmation: I WILL CONCENTRATE THE STRENGTH OF MY APPETITES ON GOD ALONE. Mark 9:24 - "And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." Affirmations: I AM NO LONGER TROUBLED BY THE DEMONS OF FEAR AND DOUBT. I REPENT OF MY UNBELIEF. I DRAW UPON THE FORGIVENESS OF CHRIST AND HIS PURITY OF HEART AND THEN I YIELD MYSELF TO CHRIST'S FAITH AND EMBRACE HIS LOVE WITHIN ME. James 3:8 - "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." Affirmations: I BOLDLY DECLARE THAT MY TONGUE IS UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. MY WORDS ARE SEASONED WITH GRACE, AND MY LIPS ARE CONSTANTLY GIVING THANKS TO GOD! THIS IS WHAT MY TONGUE SPEAKS BECAUSE IT IS SUBMITTED TO THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

What are the hinderances that keep us from growth and progress in our spiritual life?

What should Christians do in adverse circumstances?

Jesus' friends will draw close to His chest to hear His very heart beat. The lifestyle of the believer that is marked with an intimate life with Christ is available to you. Jesus is looking for new recruits who will hear the passionate sound of His love beating through their beings. Do you want to lean your ear His way? Due to circumstances and worldly interaction we develop hiding places behind defensive mindsets that block us from the revelatory voice of God. Obstructions to fellowship and intimacy with the Lover of our souls effectively shield us from God's approaching presence. These obstructions consist of barriers we hide behind which are: THE DITCH OF GUILTY FEELINGS The hiding place of guilt is the breeding ground for condemnation, accusation and other ugly attitudes. But all these can be avoided through old-fashioned confession of sin and cleansing by the Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." - John 10:10 THERE ARE VARIOUS CATEGORIES OF GUILT: Real guilt due to real sin; Exaggerated guilt due to the combination of real sin and, The work of "the accuser of our brethren" (Revelation 12:10); and, False guilt as a result of the voice of the destroyer, releasing condemning, lying spirits (1 Kings 22:21–23; John 8:44; 10:10). All these forms of guilt are very real in the realm of our emotions. The cure is simple and direct. First John 1:7 gives us the remedy: "If we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the Blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." Step into the light. That is where we find cleansing. So we climb out of the ditch and run to the light of God's Word. "The truth will make you free" (John 8:32). Forgiveness, cleansing and healing love are waiting for us there. THE MASQUERADE OF HURTS FROM THE PAST Deep-seated hurts from the past hides us from the love of God and keeps us from intimacy with Him. Religious people wear masks quite well, pretending all is well with their souls while holding the Lord, the very Lover of their lives, at arm's length. We become pretenders, masquerading in the parade of hypocritical "churchianity". But the real Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted and set at liberty those who are bruised(Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18–19). Jesus is our Healer. We must take off our masks and let Him dig deep at times, touching the very source of our pain. Let Him probe and even pierce through the festering wounds to allow the light of His unchanging love to penetrate our being. Expose it to the light -- Surrender -- Forgive -- Sow blessings to others instead. This is the way out of the masquerade – remaining open-faced before God, releasing mercy and forgiveness for hurts from the past and letting Him do the same. THE ONLOOKER'S BENCH OF FEAR At times our woundedness – made more raw by the taunts of the enemy – keeps us on the bench looking on while others are enjoying being in the middle of the game. We become cautious observers afraid to run onto the playing field. What will I look like if I do this? What will others think of me? How well will I perform? But if we allow ourselves to be held back by the fear of rejection or the fear of authority or the opinions of others, eventually we will become people-pleasers, strangled by the anticipation of their opinions. Fear can paralyze us while authentic faith propels us forward. So trade in those fears and exchange them at the Cross (Isaiah 8:12–13). Be bold like a lion for Jesus' sake. Jump off the bench, tread on those spirits of intimidation (Luke 10:19), and be more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37). Truly, the remedy is our Father's great love. Bask in the light of His unfathomable devotion – what the King James Version calls lovingkindness. Soak in the reality that "if God is for us, who is against us?" (Romans 8:31). We were created in His image and for His pleasure (Revelation 4:11). We are the object of His consuming love. THE STRONGHOLD OF IMPOSED LIMITATIONS In this stage we start believing the ridiculous lies of the devil about ourselves, and those lies become negative strongholds of the mind (2 Corinthians 10:4–6).Words not in alignment with the will and Word of God are transmitted from the enemy's camp to attack our minds. Their effect is to confine us in spaces with low ceilings and false expectations. As we believe those evil reports or actual word curses spoken against us as "the way it will always be," we are shut into cramped, dark boxes. A spiritual stronghold is a mindset impregnated with hopelessness that causes us to accept as unchangeable situations that we know are contrary to the will of God. As we acknowledge as hopeless what God declares is changeable, we have come into alignment, at least in part, with the devil's thought processes and plans for us -- we go way past the realms of guilt, woundedness, fear, and criticism. We no longer want to step out into the light. We doubt that He accepts us, loves us or has any plan for us; not even a Plan B. We need to know that there are times we will have to wage war with the name and Blood of Jesus to break out of our box of imposed limitations. But there is a way out. The gateway is the finished work of the Cross of our lovely Lord Jesus! TIME ALONE WITH JESUS God is asking us to RESTORE the altar of devotion as an inward response to His glory. The outward manifestation of such devotion will be fruit that will last for all eternity. The most profound experiences we have, take place in the inner sanctum of our hearts, where the Lord creates moments of holy intimacy with us in which we are forever changed. Jesus longs to hold each one of us in a personal face-to-face encounter. When we behold His face, we are enabled and motivated to become His hands reaching out to a hurting world. The birthing of multitudes is born out of the secret place. The secret place of Christ, the Bridegroom King, is where His inner gaze captivates our hearts and makes us lovesick, causing us to overflow from His love. Face-to-face is a place where we are enabled to trust God fully and to rely completely on His love. Time alone with Christ enables us to surrender in adoration to God's will. Seeking the heart of God is a precursor to the revelation of the living DESTINY He has prepared for us on earth and seeing His power manifest in our lives. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

James 4:3 - "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts." OBSERVATION: If I am not receiving from God, I need to change what I have been giving my attention to. Matthew 12:34-37 - "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account therof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." OBSERVATION: My future -- good or bad -- is in me, right NOW. It's in my mout and it's determined by the words I speak. I am the prophet of my own life. Revelation 22:1 - "And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb." God leads me to the river of His Spirit, the current of clear goodness that flows without ceasing. As I step into that unfailing new life, I will want nothing else. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

"And said, Verily I say to you, Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven." Matthew 18:3 It is very important that the foundation upon which we stand is "The Rock," our Lord Jesus Christ, and that our life is hidden "in Christ." If our spiritual experience is resting on sand, that is, if we are trusting our own abilities, we will fail when the pressures of life increase. We can walk in stability and confidence with Him, if we hold to the potential that rests within us before the Lord in simple child-like trust -- we will be enabled to rise above the limitations that we place upon ourselves, and enter into all that He has made available for us. When difficulties affect us and we begin to lose our spiritual direction, if we will become quiet and look to the Lord, we will recognize that beneath our vacillations is a layer of spiritual strength and hope that had been deposited within us through our identification with Jesus in His death and resurrection -- which was confirmed in the peace that came when He took up His abode within us. We need only to realize that we are a new creation - that old things have passed away and our life is hid in Jesus, and that our strength comes from Him. With David, we should be able to say, "The Lord is my light and my salvation..." (Psalm 27:1). If we will meditate on the past victories that we gained by placing our lives in His hands, this will become personally real to us. Paul said, "I press toward the mark..." (Philippians 3:14). This "mark" is ourCALLING in Christ. We look past our vacillations to see there is within us a deep inner determination to press through to the place where our responses no longer emerge from our Adamic nature, but from the new creation that we have become. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

Isaiah 9:7 - "Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end......" How important is increase to God? Jesus once cursed a fig tree for not bearing fruit out of season (Mark 11:13-14)! A man in one of His parables was cast into outer darkness for burying his money and not obtaining an increase for his master (Matthew 25:24-30). When the main goal of our faith is keeping us safe from the devil, our faith becomes inferior to what God expects. Jesus had in mind more for us than survival. We are destined to overcome. Every conversion plunders hell. Every miracle destroys the works of the devil. Every God encounter is an Invasion of the Almighty into our desperate condition. This is our joy. Affirmations: I FORGET THE PAST AND REACH FOR THOSE THINGS WHICH GOD HAS CALLED ME. I PRESS TOWARD THE MARK FOR THE PRIZE OF THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS. QUESTIONS TO ASK MYSELF: 1. Do I have an increase or a survival consciousness? What fruit am I bearing today - in season or out of season? 2. What conversion, miracle, or God encounter have I experienced recently? ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

God has empowered us! We are anointed for action! Our mission and mandate? Establishing the Kingdom! We are chosen by Him and for Him! "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10 AFFIRMATIONS: I have a God-given purpose! I was chosen by Almighty God in eternity past to live in the present. I have a divine DESTINY. NO one on earth can accomplish what I have been commissioned to do! It's time to get God's opinion of you; you're essential to His eternal plans and purposes -- so become the bold, brave, radiant warrior you are called to be. Arise, lift your head -- walk with confidence and assurance that God is with you. Therefore be radiant and shine bright in this sin-darkened world. We have a PURPOSE -- we have been chosen by God. ACCOMPLISHING THE COURSE SET BEFORE US You are divinely prepared to accomplish the task God has assigned you. You can do something no other human being can do. Meditate and ponder this message; believe that you have been chosen by Christ, for Christ, and your life will take on even greater zeal and purpose. Jesus said: "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you." - (John 15:16). Your confidence and courage will soar as you understand in greater capacity the depth of these words -- "YOU ARE CHOSEN BY CHRIST!" Let these words wash over your soul – they are like refreshing water to the thirsty. You have been chosen by Christ, for Christ; the choice was made before the foundation of the world (see Ephesians 1:4). Knowing this promise will release you from rejection and depression. You Can Impact the others -- the hurting and the Lost. The goal is to finish the course and to be able to say with all confidence, "I've kept the faith and stayed on course, accomplishing the task set before me" (see 2 Timothy 4:7). It is to that individual Christ will say, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21). INTO ACTION: God gives us His power for a purpose: the gifts are tools, not toys, and anointing is for action (see Acts 1:8). God releases His anointing on His children for one main purpose: to impact the nations, to bring the hurting and lost to Himself. During these days of division and confusion, the message of Christ's redemptive love and overwhelming mercy must be heard and heeded. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

Read John Chap. 8 and Matthew Chap. 13 Have the class (or individual) read aloud each of the ascribed scriptures. Then dictate the indicated summary. The student is to recite the summary of each of the scriptures 5 times per day until the next class. II Tim 3:15-17; All scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit and not the reasoning of man. Col 1:13-16; All things are created by Jesus and for Jesus. Lev 17:11; Heb 9:22; A life must be given and blood shed in order for God to forgive sin. Matt 26:27-28; Eph 1:5-7; We are made right with God through Jesus’ one-time sacrifice. John 3:35-36; Eternal life is promised to those who believe in Jesus. Mark 13:31; All Jesus says will be fulfilled. HOMEWORK: JOHN - CHAPTER 8 - QUIZ 1. Jesus told the woman caught in adultery that He did not _________her and for her to go and _______no more. 2. Jesus said: I am the ___________of the world; He thatfollows me shall not walk in___________, but shall have the_____________of __________________. 3. Jesus told the Pharisees that they shall _____________in the sins because they did not believe that he was the___________________. (John 1:41) 4. Jesus said: Verily, verily I say unto you if a man keep my words, he shall never see _____________________. 5. Jesus said: Whosoever commiteth___________is a servant of ___________________. 6. Jesus said to the Pharisees: Verily, verily I say unto you before Abraham was _________________. MATTHEW - CHAPTER 13 - QUIZ 1. The peoples heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes _____________have closed. 2. He that soweth the good seed is_________________;the field is _____________; the good seed are the childrenof the kingdom; but the _____________are the children of the wicked one. 3. I will open my mouth in _____________________; I willutter things which have _____________from the foundationof the world. (Psalm 78:2) 4. The Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant who had found one pearl of great price, went out and sold ______________that he had, and ________________it. 5. When Jesus came into His own country they were_______________at Him; and He did not many mightyworks because of their______________. JOHN - CHAPTER 8 - QUIZ ANSWERS 1. Condemn, sin2. Light, darkness, light, life3. Die, Messiah 4. Death 5. Sin, sin 6. I Am MATTHEW - CHAPTER 13 - QUIZ ANSWERS 1. They 2. The Son of Man, the world, tares 3. Parables, kept secret 4. All, bought 5. Offended, unbelief ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

Luke 9:23 - "If anyone wishes to come after Me; he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me." When the Cross is alive, it burns up the flesh – dreams of the flesh, ambitions of the flesh – all of the flesh. All of the flesh it consumes. It consumed man's flesh beyond recognition, and so it is with His own. So when the Father looks down, He sees the reflection of His Son, and then there becomes recognition. Let the Cross have its work. Let the grave contain what is causing death, but let the Spirit quicken what is life. Thank Him for the Cross; for the work of the Cross. For we are a people of His Cross -- you are marked by His Cross. Cast not away the Blood of Jesus. Let the Blood consume. Let the Blood be the fuel for the fire of the Cross. Let the Spirit of the Living God consume the flesh, so that in His Spirit you will live and move and have your being, but first there must be the working of the Cross. And as His Cross becomes your cross, know He has hidden you in His Cross. For your cross is within His Cross, and the enemy cannot beat you with your cross when you bow down and let the working of His Cross take precedence. Feel His Cross. Feel His Blood. It is real. It is truth. He is alive forevermore, and so are you. Your spirit is eternal. Let your spirit be free to mature through the working of the Cross. For, yes, there is death, but more importantly, there is the life of the Cross. Let His Cross consume you. Let His grave clothes transform you. Let His robes of righteousness transfuse you, through the Blood of the Cross. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

I love You, God, because You first loved me. (1 John 4:19) You sent Your only begotten Son, Jesus, to this earth out of Your love for me and for others. I have believed on Him and now, I will not perish - I have everlasting life. You did not send Jesus to condemn me, but to save me, and I thank You for that! (John 3:16,17) God, if You loved me that much, I should give love to others. (1 John 4:11) So, I will love others. It's a sign that I've been born of You, because You are love. But if I fail to love others, I fail to love You. Help me to always love! (1 John 4:7,8) I put on love each day, as if it's a coat, because I know that You consider it the highest of all virtues - Your love binds every other good virtue together and makes them one. (Colossians 3:14) Love is the most important sacrifice to another person that I can make. I will love God with all my heart, soul, mind and all my strength, Lord, and I will love my neghbor as myself. (Mark 12:33) Help me to love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me. I do this in obedience to You, my Father in Heaven. (Matthew 5:44) I love others because You have loved me, and people will know that I'm a disciple of Yours because of the love that I show. (John 13:34-35) Circumcise my heart, God. Consecrate me and help me to love You with all my heart and soul so that I may truly live well! (Deuteronomy 30:6) Father, help me to remain in Your love just like Jesus. He always obeyed Your commands and always remained in Your love. (John 15:10) Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit! Through Him, You have poured Your great love into my heart! (Romans 5:5) God, I know the Your love matters the most - though I speak many words, including the tongues of angels, if I don't love others, my words are nothing but a lot of noise! I can prophesy, understand everything there is to know, and have faith enough to move mountains. I can give everything I have to feed the poor, even if I give my own body as a sacrifice to You, but without love, none of these things do any good at all: Love matters most! (1 Corinthians 13:1-3) Help me to see Your love for what it is - patient and kind, never envious, boastful, proud, rude, self-seeking, or easily angered. You love stops me from keeping a record of wrongs or delighting in what is evil. Your love helps me to rejoice in truth and always protect, trust, hope, and persevere! (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) Whatever I do, Lord, help me to do it in love! (1 Corinthians 16:14) The covenant I have with You, God, is not because of something physical, like circumcision. My covenant was made through Jesus Christ - and my faith works by love! (Galatians 5:6) The fruit of your Spirit is love. (Galatians 5:22) I was called by God to be free! But, I don't use my freedom as an excuse to live in sin and do only what I want. Instead, I serve others in the way of love. (Galatians 5:13) God, You are rich in mercy and because of Your great love for me, You have made me alive with Christ! Even when I was dead in sin, you made a way of grace so that I could be saved! (Ephesians 2:4-5) I am being rooted and established in love. I'm gaining the power to grasp the amazing measurements of Your love. I realize that it surpasses all knowledge, but in "seeking" to find its measurements, I am being filled with the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:17-19) I'm a volunteer prisoner of You and I will live a life worthy of Your calling. In humility, gentleness, and patience, I will bear what others do in love. I will strive to always keep the unity of Your Spirit and keep the peace. (Ephesians 4:1-3) I speak the truth in love and it causes me to grow up in all things - I'm a part of the body of Christ and we serve under the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ! We work together in love and this unites the whole body of Christ! (Ephesians 4:15,16) Like a child imitates those he admires, I imitate You Jesus, and live a life of love! Because You loved me and gave Yourself for me as a good-smelling offering to God, I will give myself to others, as an offering to You. (Ephesians 5:1) I will speak peace, love, and faith over all my brothers and sisters today! (Ephesians 6:23) Thank You for correcting my heart when I do wrong. I know that You discipline those You love. (Hebrews 12:6) I will live in harmony with others and be sympathetic, compassionate, and humble. (1 Peter 3:8) Above it all, I will love others deeply because love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8) I have known and believed in the love that You have for me. You are Love and I make my life in You. Your great love is being perfected in me day-to-day. I will be able to have boldness in the day of judgment because I have a life of love! 1 John 4:16,17) I won't fear! Your love in me casts fear out! I'm being made perfect in Your love day by day! (1 John 4:18) ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

Luke 8:14 - "The seed among the thorns represents those who listen and believe God's words but whose faith afterwards is choked out by worry and riches and the responsibilities and pleasures of life. And so they are never able to help anyone else to believe the Good News." Your enemy wants to subdue your awareness and release a slumbering spirit. In this state he can sell you on giving in to a confortable life thereby causing a corpse-like complacency. You will always avoid the challenges of "breaking out of the box" into the maximum life that Jesus died to get you into. The phrase "out of the box" means that someone or something has broken out from it's barriers. It also means that someone has outgrown their history and has gone beyond their limitations. Luke 2:48,49 - "Behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them. 'How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?'" The pharisees had no understanding of the Father's heart. Much of christian activity exists that has no relationship to that supreme value. The gospel is the story of the Father wooing the hearts of mankind through His love. We can travel the globe and preach the gospel, but without a personal revelation of the Father's heart we're carring around second hand news -- a story without a relationship. The Father's business flows from His heart. The church is to be a manifestation of the Father's heart to the world. We are to be carriers of His presence -- doers of His will. Giving what we have received releases Him into situations previously held in the grip of darkness. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

"My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice." Psalm 63:5-7 In this classic Psalm, David teaches us a method to calm the screaming soul and find satisfaction even in the most critical circumstances. What is the method? -- Meditation. It's important to know that David was in the wilderness running for his life when he wrote this. He wasn't meditating on his kingly bed with servants tending to his every need. He was in a tough time. Nevertheless, he meditated on God; therefore, he could worship instead of weep. As we meditate on God, we will too. STAYED ON YOU David delighted in the law of the Lord (see Psalm 1:1-2). The Hebrew word for meditation used here is "hagah" (Strong's #1897) and it not just a mental exercise. Hagah means: to reflect, to ponder, to muse. However, it also means: to mutter, to moan, or to make a soft sound, to speak. The effect is to get lost in communion with God "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. " - Isaiah 26:3 In the midst of trials, one of the things we must do is stop and see where our mind is focused. The enemy of our soul would love for us to continue looking at our circumstance; however, that will not provide us the perfect peace and soul satisfaction we are desperate for. The harder the trial the more critical it is to get your mind focused on God. What does it mean to "stay our mind"? The Hebrew word for "mind" here is yetser (pronounced yay'-tser, Strong's #3336). The root of this word speaks of forming and fashioning, even squeezing something into shape. We see the word first in Genesis 2:7 as the Lord "formed" man out of the dust...or in Hebrew -- the Lord "yester" man out of the dust. Through this example, we can see that it takes a CONCIOUS EFFORT ON OUR BEHALF -- even "squeezing" our thoughts to be STAYED on God. The Hebrew word for "STAYED," is samech (pronounced saw-mak, Strong's #5564). Samech means to lean, lay, rest, support and it speaks of setting, placing or laying something upon something else so that it may be supported by it. TAKING OUR THOUGHTS CAPTIVE As we meditate and form or even squeeze our thoughts to focus on God instead of our situation, we are placing them on Him so that we may be supported by Him. That sheds more light on 1 Peter 5:7 - "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." We are not merely meditating on the Lord because we trust Him. We are actually taking our thoughts captive and forming them, and setting them upon God. Through this purposeful process we will receive support, perfect peace, and the ultimate soul satisfaction. Just as a circle has no beginning or end, neither does God. His love is from everlasting to everlasting. This is what we can focus our thoughts on...the Lamb of God, the love of God. As we do that, we will be surrounded, supported, and kept in perfect peace in the heart of God. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever." - Ephesians 3:20-21 Our very best days are right before us, not behind us! Consider the Message Bible's version of this Scripture: "God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us." God can do anything. And what's more, our mighty King has outstanding plans for each and every one of us, plans that are more wonderful and sure than we could "ever imagine or guess or request"! The Lord assures us in 1 Corinthians 2:9 that, "No man has ever seen, heard or even imagined the wonderful things God has in store for those who love the Lord." BELIEVE FOR A STRONGER ANOINTING God's spectacular plans for you are only for your good (Jeremiah 29:11). Even if you are facing great hardship, take heart! We have His precious promises as our comfort, joy and security. No matter what trial you are experiencing in your health, finances, marriage, children or with your loved ones, God has unimaginably great blessings in store for you as you simply turn to Jesus, to His Spirit within you and His living Word. We know that each and every one of His promises are true and His Word promises a certain, divine turnaround. All of Heaven and earth may pass away, but God's Word never fails us. God desires to take us to new levels of victory in every area of our life. The Lord Jesus Christ wants to give us more of His wisdom so we can make better decisions (James 1:5). He longs to give us a stronger anointing so we can advance in His purpose for our life (our DESTINY in Christ) (Psalm 92:10). The Lord also wants to bless us financially so we can be a blessing to others (2 Corinthians 9:6-8). LIFT OUR VISION UP We need to avoid the old ruts of fear and unbelief. Submit to the God of peace, resist these demons and they will flee from you (James 4:7). Instead of receiving fear and unbelief, receive His precious promises as rock-solid truths and begin to act accordingly, CONFESSING OUT LOUD and giving thanks that your Father is certainly doing "exceedingly more" than you can even imagine. The Lord Jesus Christ is inviting us to lift our vision up, above our circumstances and situations, to fix our eyes on Him and His Word. As we do this we can expect to see the glory of God fill our lives and those who we touch. We accept His invitation to come up higher (Revelation 4:1-2) by focusing on Christ our Redeemer, Deliverer and Healer, not our difficulties. God has new frontiers of the spirit for us to explore and higher mountains of faith for us to climb. There is so much more to life in Christ than we can ever imagine! In His Presence we find true fulfillment and lasting joy (Psalm 16:11). ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

The love of God is manifested in me so that I might live through Jesus. - 1 John 4:9 He has put His own Holy Spirit into my heart as a proof to me that I am living with Him and He is with me. - 1 John 4:13 As I abide in love, God abides in me. - 1 John 4:16 Since I am a child of God I am able to defeat the world. The way I have victory over the world is with my faith. - I John 5:4 Since I have the Son of God I have eternal life. - I John 5: 11,12 I can approach God with confidence for this reason: If I make requests which are in accord with His will he listens to me: and if I know that my requests are heard, I know also that the things I ask for are mine. - I John 5; 14,15 I know that Christ, God’s Son, has come to help me understand and find the true God; and I am in God because I am in Jesus Christ His Son, who is the only true God; and He is eternal life. - I John 5:20 ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord....for he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river...nor will cease from yielding fruit..I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings." - Jeremiah 17:7,8,10 As we pursue God's PURPOSE for our life (Matthew 7:7,8), His Kingdom and righteousness--all things--are added to us. We move ahead in the army of God, advancing His Kingdom. As long as we keep marching, we're changing because faith moves us ahead, step-by-step. If we don't give up, eventually we walk into the Promised Land. The last command of Jesus while on earth says, "Go!" That's why we often see the anointing increase as we go, moving with the cloud. FROM NARROW - TO TRANSITION - TO ENLARGEMENT We are in a process of change. Our gifts are being drawn out of us in stretching dimensions. We have been and are going through places of testing and confinement in the Body. What is this place of testing and confinement? This is a place less wide than we are accustomed to or have expected to be in. If we respond properly to the "narrow or confined place," we will enter into the phase of "transition" to be brought into a "larger place" in the Spirit. The new place is like the camel going through the eye of the needle (Matthew 19:24). One school of thought was that that was a narrow gate. The only way the camel could get through was to be unloaded. This is the needle – the narrow gate. This is a place of unloading the weights of the past and a place of fresh commitment to the Cross where we die to self all over again. The "narrow place" (Matthew 7:14) can lead us out of captivity into a new and open field. HOW CAN WE MAKE THE TRANSITION? Transition times are when the Lord redefines and makes adjustments necessary for us to move forward. He gives us new focus and direction. He teaches us about Himself in a new way. We must seek the Lord for both revelation and the ways of God in times of change. His revelatory perspective bridges the past season with the new one. Without clear revelation and communication during transition, we can lose the strength and wisdom of our past victory. But we desperately need His strength to go from glory to glory. It isn't the new thing coming that is so hard to deal with, it's the transition from the old state of affairs to the new one. As you travail in this season, ask the Lord to give you strategy to protect your vision. Remember, the dragon attempts to steal new birth (see Revelation 12:4). Press forward! Cry out for greater grace to be granted to keep moving forward. When these changes manifest, enlargement occurs. To "enlarge" is to expand, to set free, become greater in size and intensity. Enlargement – or going through the new open door – is a process, not just a proclamation. Press through the narrow, withstand the transition, and receive enlargement. THE PROCESS OF CHANGE 1. A new level of revelation is released, 2. Your present vision starts to be adjusted, 3. New vision is secured and established, 4. Fresh strategies are revealed to you, 5. You see a greater fullness of your inheritance before you, If you are experiencing a "narrow place of confinement," or you sense you are in transition, be assured, He is about to visit you with a fresh demonstration of His Spirit. May your resources increase and your trials become stepping stones to renewed power and revelation. When you have come through the "new door," there are others who have been watching your pilgrimage. When you are strengthened, you will be enlarged to give spiritual succor to others in Jesus' name! "Each one's work will become clear; for the day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work...If anyone's work which he has buit on it endures, he will receive a reward." - 1 Corinthians 3:13,14 How exciting to know that change originates with the Creator of the Universe. "For we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Corinthians 3:18). Press forward! Going backward is not an option -- "We go from glory to glory, and glory doesn't go backwards." ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

Matthew 6:22 : "The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light." MIRRORS OF THE SOUL The eyes are the literal mirrors of a person's soul and reveals much about a person's deep inner man. In that deep place of the heart, the eye of the body that is full of light, can also reveal secrets into the unseen realm depending upon a person's intimate connection or transparency with God. Our eyes are portals of Heaven that we many times overlook within ourselves and within others. THE FACE OF AN ANGEL In the case of Steven in the New Testament, he was a man who was full of faith and of the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5). He was so full of grace and power that he performed great wonders and signs among the people during his day (Acts 6:8). In the synagogues of Asia, they disputed with Stephen because of their own stubborn misperception and blindness of spiritual sight (Acts 6:9). Stephen preached with boldness and they were not able to resist the wisdom and spirit by which he spoke (Acts 6:10). Even to the point of death, he had no fear to speak God's truth because his "eye" saw something beyond this natural world. All that sat in the council, looking steadfastly and intently at him, saw his face and countenance "as it had been the face of an angel" (Acts 6:15). Seeing that Stephen was "full of the Holy Spirit… he gazed intently into Heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God," saying, 'Behold, I see the Heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God'" (Acts 7:55-56). A LIFESTYLE OF GAZING When Stephen "gazed" (NAS) or "looked up steadfastly" (KJV) into Heaven, the Greek definition and meaning of this was not only that he fixed his "eyes" but also purposed his "mind" into Heaven. The eyes of his mind and the eyes of his heart went into auto-focus by the power of the Holy Spirit, as in the sense of stretching his eye sight towards the face of God that gave him the supernatural power to endure the kind of death he was about to experience. This reveals that Stephen had a "lifestyle of gazing" into the eyes and heart of God and is the reason why he was so filled with the glory of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave himself over to locking his eyesight on the Lord Jesus Christ, and it caused everything else to either become dim or disappear in his perception of reality. He was so overtaken by the Holy Spirit that the unseen realm at that moment was more real to him than the seen realm of the excruciating pain of being stoned to death. In these last days we are going to need this kind of supernatural strength and power to be able to endure the days ahead of us with a lifestyle of gazing. CAUSE OF SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS The enemy continues to try to bring disgrace and discredit the people of God through spiritual blindness – blindness that is caused by the lack of looking and gazing into the face of God as a regular exercise of intimate worship or the lack of CONFESSING and MEDITATING on the Scriptures to find food for the soul and nourishment for the spiritual eyes. Ephesians 1:18 - " I pray that your inward eyes may be illumined, so that you may know what is the hope to which He calls you..." Ephesians 6:17 - "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God." Because of life's distractions, sin and self-righteous pride, this was one of the stumbling blocks of the Pharisees that prevented them from seeing that Jesus was really who He said He was, God. Because they couldn't see, they couldn't believe. If they couldn't see, they had no vision and they missed out on entering into the Kingdom of God. THE EYE OF THE LORD IS MOVING So now the Lord is reminding us in 2 Chronicles 16:9 which says, "For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His." God is on the move, running and eagerly searching with the laser beam of His eyes, looking for those who are filled with His light to see that He is ready to strongly support those whose eye lenses of the heart and mind are turned completely towards Him. He is inviting us into the journey of His heart – into the journey of the unseen realm. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). No one has seen God at any time (John 1:18), yet Jesus tells us in the beatitudes that the pure in heart will see God (Matthew 5:8). If God is wanting us to look and gaze intently at Him, isn't it because He is looking and gazing intently at us? The eyes of God reveal intimacy and longing and a strong desire to be with us now and forevermore. God is longing for those who are longing for Him. If you are experiencing an indescribable longing in your heart toward God, that means He is drawing you. PRAYER OF RESTORATION AND VISION: God, thank You for saving my life and thank You for restoring my soul. God, open my eyes to see You like never before. Help me to see and perceive through Your eyes. Restore my vision that may have become dull or blinded through discouragement, circumstances, sin, hardship or even neglect. Forgive me for not responding to Your voice when You are calling me. Draw me, God, and I will run to You. Open the eyes of my heart, God, that I may see You face to face. I come boldly to Your throne to worship You in Spirit and in truth and to love You sincerely with all my heart, mind, soul and strength by CONFESSING and MEDITATING on your Word. I thank You for hearing my prayer and my heart's cry to be closer to You. I give You honor and glory and praise this day, in Jesus name I pray, Amen! ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

We let the Lord take our heart through a process. Just as Peter had to go through a series of events to be ready to be used in an extraordinary way, we realize that God has a process for all of us. What the Lord worked in Peter was a NEW IDENTITY, a dependency upon the Lord so that he would not trust in His own strength. We learn to lean on the strength of God, not taking things into our own hands. WE WALK IN DISCERNMENT BEING AN INFLUENCE FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD Philippians 1:9-11 - "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." Keep your discernment. Love and discernment work together. They always do. We do not turn on love and turn off discernment. We do not turn on discernment and turn off love. Rather, we use them both together. True discernment comes from the Holy Spirit Who pours the love of God in our hearts. Jesus comes to bring the cure. That cure can only happen because He sees what is needed. WE KEEP OUR HEART FREE AND WALK IN LOVE Matthew 5:9 - "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Be willing to reconcile with others who are embittered against you. Some may be in a bitter place not wanting to reconcile. Just realize you need to be willing to be a peacemaker. Pray that the Lord will tenderize their heart and fill them with the love of God. Bitterness blinds people. He who has a bitter root defiles many because they spread evil reports with gossip. Walk in love and pray that God gives them the gift of repentance. WE GET UNDERSTANDING ON SOWING SEED AND HARVEST TIME 2 Corinthians 9:6,7 - "But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." Make an effort to understand the power of SOWING and REAPING. Realize that all God has entrusted to us we are the steward of. In that way, all that we have is seed that can be sown into different places. Our time invested in the spiritual development of others, work, money, prayers, worship is all seed that is sown. If we want increase in our life, both in the spirit and in the natural, we need to get the revelation of SEEDTIME and HARVEST. Who doesn't want a HARVEST in their lives? But we have to sow in order to REAP. WE DRINK HIS NEW WINE! Hebrews 1:8,9 - "But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions." We take time to not only seek the Lord, but to receive from the Lord the new wine of His PRESENCE. We allow God to fill us with His joy as the Holy Spirit saturates us. For it is the joy that comes in His PRESENCE that strengthens us. God will give us a fresh anointing as we simply receive in His PRESENCE. Jesus was anointed with the oil of joy far above all others. How much more do we need His oil upon our lives. WE ARE ALL COMMANDED TO DO THE WORK OF MINISTRY John 21:17 - "He said to him the third time, 'Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?' Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, 'Do you love Me?' And he said to Him, 'Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.' Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.'" One of the unique things about the Church of the New Covenant is that God has authorized and commanded every believer to do the work of the ministry! God wants an entire army of workers out doing the vital work of DISCIPLESHIP of the saints and building up His Body, the Church. Many churches are so focused on the salvation message that they fail to feed and help mature the sheep who have already come to salvation. Believers should be equipped to DISCIPLE the new believers so they will be effective in personal ministry. "My children with who I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you.." - Galatians 4:19 The true success of our ministry to others will be by how it brought forth the formation of Christ within the person God has given us to DISCIPLE. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

The Three Parts of the Spirit – #2 Intuition Intuition is the consciousness within man’s spirit – it is direct and not dependant on anything else. We do not need the help of the mind, the emotion, or the will before we can have this knowledge. Through the intuition man can truly ‘know’ something while his mind can only make him understand it. All God’s revelation and all the moving of the Holy Spirit are known by the believers through the intuition. John 6:64 64“But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. (Jesus knew from the beginning.) Mark 2:8 - Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, said* to them, “Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts? (Jesus knew in his spirit.) Mark 8:12 - Sighing deeply in His spirit, He said*, “Why does this generation seek for a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” (Sighing deeply in his spirit.) Acts 20:22 - And now, behold, compelled by the spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, (Compelled by the Spirit.) 1 Corinthians 2:11-12 - For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

Is it okay to look for satisfaction from other things than God alone?

Are we waiting for God to do someting in our lives?